Awesome Games Done Quick 2023 Confirmed as Online-Only Event
The upcoming Awesome Games Done Quick 2023 event has officially announced that it will be held online from Jan. 8 to 15. The week-long broadcast will feature a full lineup of speedruns, ensuring that viewers can enjoy 24-hour live coverage.
Fans can look forward to a thrilling showcase of expert speedrunners aiming to complete their games as quickly as possible. Additionally, there will be exciting bonuses and challenges throughout the event, all aimed at raising funds for the Prevent Cancer Foundation. However, unlike Summer Games Done Quick 2022, AGDQ 2023 will not take place in person.
According to GDQ staff, the decision to not hold the event in person was based on safety and inclusivity concerns. They stated, “While we would love to return in-person, we’ve determined that to provide a safe and welcoming event to all it was best that we move away from our originally planned location in Florida. Given the state’s continued disregard for COVID-19’s dangers (including anti-mandate vaccination policies) and an increased aggression towards LGBTQ+ individuals, including the law colloquially known as ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ we do not believe it is a safe place for our community at this time.”
These factors, coupled with the financial implications of canceling the Florida venue contract, led to the decision to maintain the online-only format that has been in place since January 2020.
Related: Summer Games Done Quick 2022 surpasses $3 million in donations for Doctors Without Borders
Over the past two years, GDQ has continually improved its digital production, even successfully hosting runs remotely during the physical SGDQ 2022 event. AGDQ 2022 still holds the donation record for a GDQ event, having raised an impressive $3,442,033. This proves that the impact of the marathon transcends the limitations imposed by hosting it in person.
In total, GDQ has raised over $41 million for charities such as Doctors Without Borders and the Prevent Cancer Foundation. Submissions for the game lineup and event volunteers will open on Sept. 11. For more information, visit the GDQ website.